Jasper swears in two new officers

The City of Jasper swore in two new officers this morning.

Kaleb Chambers, 23, and Aaron Schmitt, 22, will head off to the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy after conducting their agility and physical testing this week. The two will graduate from the academy May 27.

Kaleb’s father, retired Jasper Det. Sgt. Rick Chambers pinned his son’s badge on today while his mom, Karen, filmed the event.

Kaleb joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and after attending the Army’s Airborne School and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, he served in Afghanistan for two tours.

Kaleb acknowledged that his dad’s service and the time he spent with the Jasper police officers during his dad’s career greatly influenced his decision to become an officer. When the department put up the notice looking for applicants, Kaleb was still serving in the Army at Fort Bragg, N.C. so he reported to the Jasper department during his off time to complete the application and interview process.

It was a change in plans for Kaleb, who said he had planned on staying in the Army as a career soldier. However, his growing family convinced him to return to his hometown and pursue police work.

Kaleb is following his father and older brother, Joe, into law enforcement. Rick Chambers recently retired from the Jasper Police Department as a detective sergeant after a 28-year career in the department. Kaleb’s brother currently serves in the military as an investigator.

Rick was on hand to pin the Jasper Police Department badge on his son’s uniform.

“I am very proud and nervous at the same time because I know what being a police officer entails,” Chambers said. “But, I know that Kaleb will do a really good job.”

Karen acknowledged her son’s service as well, “I am very proud of him.”

Aaron Schmitt grew up in Ireland and according to his parents, Gene and Martha Schmitt, he became serious about a career in law enforcement his last year in high school.

Aaron explained working as a law enforcement officer had been a dream of his since he was in elementary school. He has completed his associate’s degree in conservation law enforcement through Vincennes University and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in homeland security and public safety.

He served as a reserve officer for the City of Huntingburg for a year and a half before resigning to become a full-time officer for Jasper.

Gene and Martha were joined by Aaron’s grandmother Virginia Messmer at the swearing-in ceremony.

“It was a high honor,” Gene said about pinning the badge on his son’s uniform today.

“I am very proud of him,” Martha said.

The two new officers replace Rick Chambers and Jeff Young, bringing the force back up to 22 officers.

“You’ve just become part of an elite organization that is sometimes referred to as the Thin Blue Line,” Police Chief Mike Bennett said. “One of the reasons it’s called thin is because there’s not that many people that can do what we do. You are now being charged with the protection, sometimes at the risk of your own life, of the community, the citizens and visitors and your fellow officers.”